President orders liquor-free 66th anniversary celebrations

SLFP leader President Maithripala Sirisena had asked party members to ensure that the 66th anniversary celebrations of the party on Sunday (3) at Campbell Park would be totally free from alcohol, UPFA General Secretary Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday.

Addressing the media at the SLFP’s weekly media briefing held at party headquarters in Colombo, Amaraweera said all arrangements had been made to hold the anniversary celebration and this year, too, tens of thousands of SLFP members would gather at Campbell Park.

In 2015, just after President Sirisena took over the leadership, the 64th anniversary had been held in Polonnaruwa with the participation of nearly ten thousand party members. In 2016 the 65th anniversary was held in Kurunegala and it was attended by nearly one hundred thousand party members, the Minister said.

“Therefore, this year we expect more people.”

CTB and private buses had already been booked to transport SLFP members from every corner of the country, the Minister said.

The party would discuss important matters including how to increase the representation of women and youth in local councils.

With the passage of Local Government Election (Amendment) Act, the government could put an end to a culture where drug dealers, thugs and other underworld called the shots by spending their ill-gotten wealth to win election. Now loyal, talented and good people could contest elections even though they lacked wherewithal, Amaraweera said.

Once the anniversary celebrations were over, the party would be reorganised to increase its membership, Amaraweera said.